Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Cellist Laura Van Voris joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities to play with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACs amphitheatre stage on to participate in a PlayIN - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the Orchestras season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Cellist Laura Van Voris joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities to play with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACs amphitheatre stage on to participate in a PlayIN - a ... more

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, ... more

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, ... more

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, ... more

Selfies were performed as well as music as approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Selfies were performed as well as music as approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO ... more

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, ... more

Yo-Yo Ma and guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma and guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a ... more

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, ... more

Yo-Yo Ma, clearly enjoys himself is joined by guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma, clearly enjoys himself is joined by guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs ... more

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Yo-Yo Ma clearly enjoys himself as he joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma clearly enjoys himself as he joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a ... more

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music ... more

Yo-Yo Ma and guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma and guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a ... more

Yo-Yo Ma Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared ... more

The impish Yo-Yo Ma enjoys himself as he joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

The impish Yo-Yo Ma enjoys himself as he joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a ... more

Yo-Yo Ma waves good-by after joining approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma waves good-by after joining approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a ... more

Like so many audience participants cello cases sit quietly in seats as approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Like so many audience participants cello cases sit quietly in seats as approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage ... more

Yo-Yo Ma and guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

Yo-Yo Ma and guest conductor Marin Alsop joined approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a ... more

the impish Yo-Yo Ma plays a few notes on the piano before joining approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to participate in a OPlayINO - a unique, shared music making event, akin to a rehearsal. A regular feature of the OrchestraOs season in Philadelphia, this will be the first PlayIN at SPAC Wednesday Aug. 9, 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

the impish Yo-Yo Ma plays a few notes on the piano before joining approximately 100 Capital Region cellists of all ages and abilities played with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma on SPACOs amphitheatre stage to ... more

Yo-Yo Ma was no stranger to the amateur cellists assembled on stage midday Wednesday at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He is, in the realm of classical cello, the undisputed global superstar, a figure revered and adored — not too strong a word — for his easy manner and eloquent mastery of the instrument.

"He's played with us thousands of times," said Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Gloria dePasquale, exaggerating maybe a little as she introduced Ma and Marin Alsop, guest conductor for the orchestra's concert later that evening with Ma.

The cellist, smiling broadly, tiptoed out front as though sneaking in unobserved. Applause and grins erupted onstage and off, and more than a few looks of awe. The large throng of instrumentalists included 84 participants in SPAC's first-ever Philadelphia Orchestra "PlayIN," a chance for amateurs of varying age and skill levels to play musical tidbits alongside Philly cellists and, for a few minutes at least, Ma.

"Having Yo-Yo Ma there is just — there are no words for that," said Katie Cappola of Philadelphia, cello at the ready, in the minutes before the group gathered on stage.

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Having attended an earlier PlayIN back home, she arrived at this one with a group of student cellists from summer camp at the Luzerne Music Center. Others came from the New York State School of Orchestral Studies, the Empire State Youth Orchestra and private and public instruction around the region. A row of especially fresh faces — and especially small cellos — ringed the front of the stage, receiving cheerful direction from cellist Yumi Kendall.

Older faces dotted the sea of young ones. Filing in quickly at the start, one Albany cellist said he fretted over his qualifications until he realized, after submitting his application, that the excerpts to be played included Mozart's variations on "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." "It is in my repertoire," he affirmed, with no small relief.

Once settled on stage with the multitudes, Ma and Marin only sat in for the first few tunes: a tidbit of "Twinkle," another tidbit of "Twinkle," then a tidbit of an old French song, all three of them — like the rest of the program that day — pulled from the Suzuki method for cello instruction. The large congregation of cellos played clearly and cleanly, their throaty altos filling the amphitheater in a chorus of warmth and wooden voices.

After posing for photos, Ma and the maestra made their exits. "The only thing better than Yo-Yo Ma with one cello is Yo-Yo Ma with 100 cellos," dePasquale said. With assistant conductor Kensho Watanabe assuming the podium, the assembled instrumentalists turned to the next tidbits on the program: Vivaldi, then Schubert, then Purcell.

On a tidbit of Bach, Kendall coached the wee ones for a key note on the G string: "You're gonna be playing the bagpipe part!" On a tidbit of Ravel, she announced: "Let's celebrate that this is C-major — the best cello key ever!" And on a tidbit of Paganini from the theme to "Witches' Dance," she demonstrated a well-timed leg maneuver for the fourth beat of the opening measures. "See, we're all gonna do the witches' kick on this one ... a jab with your legs."

DePasquale admonished: "Just don't kick your stand partner."

The music and kicking commenced apace. No howls of pain were heard.

Before playing a tidbit of Grieg, Kendall asked everyone how far they'd driven to attend the session. Thirty minutes? A bunch of hands went up. An hour or more? A smaller bunch. Two hours? A few. Six hours? One family from Virginia.

Post-Grieg, dePasquale led a round of applause for parents and other designated chauffeurs. "We recognize that schlepping around cellos is not quite as easy as schlepping around flutes," she said. "But we actually prefer the sound — those of us onstage — prefer the sound of the cello. Right? When somebody goes to you, 'Oh, don't you wish you played the flute?' Go, 'No, no no no no!' "

One more go at "Twinkle," and the PlayIN was over: 45 minutes of concentrated cello-centric stage-time, around nine of them with the world's greatest living practitioner of the trade. Players took their bows, faced the acclaim with smiles and filed off the stage to pack up their axes for the schlep back.

"I thought it was awesome to see Yo-Yo Ma, and to see his cello," said Alison Galaza, a 10-year-old from Rochester who attended with a friend from Philadelphia. The cello, she noted, was "shiny." Being on stage wasn't dull, either. "I thought it was fun to play up there."

Marni Alhart, 11, of Delmar caught Ma last summer at Proctors with the Silk Road Ensemble, and she never thought she'd ever be playing with him onstage. It felt good, she said. "I guess. I was kind of nervous."

Her dad, Todd Alhart, studied cello growing up and helped Marni prepare for the PlayIN with Ma. "This is a thrill seeing him in person — and he's just amazing to listen to. And for him to just take the time to spend with the students and kids is just wonderful," he said.

Floating around the stage entrance on Wednesday, SPAC president and CEO Elizabeth Sobol said the event meshed well with the venue's efforts to build community through "shared experiences of beauty" and promote a love of music across the board. "A lot of people who haven't touched their cello in a long time — they were as welcome today as people who've been studying it for years," she said. "So we're trying to encourage that love of music, bring the barriers down."

Avery Roach, 15, of Delmar, was definitely feeling it. Playing with kids of various ages and skill levels was nice, he said – "so we can see where we came from and where there's left to go." But playing with Ma. That was an inspiration.

"Before this concert, I thought that he was a really impressive cellist — and that I wasn't really sure if I could get to his level," he said. "But seeing him and playing with him now makes me believe that I can do that sometime in the future, when I grow up — and that I can become a cellist."